Final whistle greeted with a release of joy as Tipperary camogie club make history

St Patrick’s Camogie Club from the parish of Drangan/Cloneen made history recently when on Saturday, April 15 they captured the Division C Feile title. Having topped the group stages the previous week first up was a meeting with Moyle Rovers in Drom-Inch GAA pitch.

St Patrick’s 0-4 Moyle Rovers 1-0
St Patrick’ss that hit the ground running with tight defence and long deliveries getting them into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead. Then Moyle Rovers turn the momentum their way with a well worked move from midfield generating a one on one with the keeper that was dispatched excellently to the back of the net, game on. At half time with the minimum between the sides the scores remained 0-2 to 1-0.

Both sides felt the game was there for them to win and started the second half in that fashion, endeavour ramped up and any spectators present were treated to a great contest. As the half went on St Pats started to build pressure again and secured two more vital points while keeping Moyle Rovers scoreless at the other end. This time there wasn’t to be another momentum changer and St Patrick’s prevailed to qualify for the final 0-4 to 1-0.

Féile Final: St Patricks 0-6 Drom-Inch 0-4
If the semi-final was played with intensity by the St Patrick’s team the dial was turned up a couple of notches for the final. All players no matter the number on their backs or position on the field defended and sought possession of the ball in packs. Playing with the wind, Drom-Inch were given limited or no time or space to strike the ball and develop the game towards St Pats goal. Hooking, Blocking, Rucking and Turn Over - St Patrick’s were ravenous. Their reward for this hard work in the first half was a hard earned 0-2 to 0-1 lead as the team changed sides.

St Patrick’s continued in the 3rd quarter where they had left off at half time, mean at the back and now finding some space in attack building the lead out to 0-5 to 0-1. Then Drom-Inch started to gain a foothold in the match and came back into it, their resilience was rewarded with scores that narrowed the gap.

Time however was now on the side of St Patrick'sand at the final whistle they were victorious 0-6 to 0-4. That whistle was greeted with a release of joy and satisfaction with the win and also anticipation for Saturday, June 24, the Feile Regional Finals in county Offaly.

As per the group games the team delivered an all round team performance both with and without the ball. In goal Rachel Kelly was cool under pressure and distributed excellently finding her runners from puck outs. Réiltín Kenny Casey never stopped hunting attackers and halting their progress. Claire Fitzgerald eptiomised the hard work not giving and inch in defence but also driving forward any time possession was gained or turned over. Dawn Moroney, Síobhan Hogan captain for the day and Niamh O’Brien really led by example with effort and skills that ensured that ball stuck in the forwards building forward play and giving the hard working backs a break.

As per all the rounds Milly Cleere scored consistently from play again ensuring St Patrick’s got rewards for their possession and Kate Fox always an option for puckouts kept the scoring ticking over from any frees won. For the second half of the final Rosie O’Brien took the game by the scruff of the neck, mopped up Drom & Inch ball turning defence into attack, driving forward and setting the tone for her teammates to follow.